When One Bunny Becomes Two
The Salwen Family's Rabbit Bonding Journey
By Leslie Piper
Sometimes the best family decisions start with "NO WAY!" For the Salwen family, that's exactly how their rabbit adventure began, and spoiler alert: it didn't end with just one bunny.
Meet Bonita (affectionately known as Bobo), their fearless, spicy girl who's been ruling the roost for four years. But this story isn't just about Bobo. It's about how the Salwens learned that rabbits are social creatures who thrive with companionship, leading them to the House Rabbit Society this past January for a very special adoption. Enter Milo, a sweet boy who turned out to be Bobo's perfect match.
If you've ever wondered what the rabbit bonding process really looks like, the speed dating, the nervous waiting, the monitored playdates, and that magical moment when two buns finally become best friends, the Salwens are here to share their experience. Because sometimes, the family you didn't plan on is exactly the one you need.
Our sweet Bonita (aka Bobo) came into our lives about four years ago. She was being fostered by my wife’s friend, and after I said, “we are not adopting a rabbit,” she magically appeared in the house. We already had two cats and zero experience with rabbits. But our spicy girl quickly became a much loved member of the family, in fact, she is my favorite. I’m such a tough guy.
Bobo was fearless and had almost full run on the house. She demanded love and soon became a favorite among our fur babies. As we learned more about rabbits, my teenage daughter and I felt that Bobo needed a friend, since buns are very social.
About a year ago, we learned House Rabbit Society offered speed dating for rabbits, so we brought Bonita in for a session. Bobo was aggressive towards two rabbits and ignored a younger male, so we took a pause and re-evaluated if getting a new rabbit was a good idea. This past January we tried again. We came in on a Saturday to find some potential friends, without Bonita, scoped out a few, and then brought her back on Sunday to see meet potential suitors.
Milo was the first and only date for the day. He had his incisors (front teeth) removed for medical reasons, so he could not bite her and he’s a smaller rabbit, but not meek - think grumpy old man in 2 year old rabbit. They were relatively calm around each other for 30 minutes, so we took the plunge and brought him home. We had prepped the house for the bonding by setting up a room with two pens.
My wife was nervous and it took weeks of daily monitored play sessions, with my daughter sleeping in the room with them to ensure no issues, even though they were separate. After about five (5) weeks, we had a sleepover weekend, where we had them in the same pen for 24 hours, with both of their litter boxes, food bowls, etc, in our living room, and my daughter watching them (even sleeping on the couch to ensure everyone was safe). They bonded and the rest is history.
Of course, they still have their moments. He wants to be a tough guy and she is a spicy queen, but they are so happy together. They sleep together and groom each other. She needs us less, which is okay, she still loves us and grooms us, but she has a friend now. And he was so shy in the beginning but has come out of his shell, and runs around, doing binky’s, following his spicy sister everywhere.
We LOVE them so much. I was dead against one, my wife was against a second, but we now cannot imagine our lives without them. As odd as it seems, two buns are easier than one bun.
And just like that, the Salwens went from a one-rabbit household to a bonded pair living their best bunny lives together. Bobo found her companion, Milo found his forever home, and the family discovered that love (and rabbit care) truly does multiply in the best possible way. Happily ever after? We'd say so.
If the Salwen family's story has you thinking your rabbit might benefit from a companion, we'd love to help you write your own bunny love story! The House Rabbit Society has wonderful rabbits looking for their forever homes, and we offer bunny dating sessions so your rabbit can meet some of our available buns to see if there's a special connection. Because every rabbit deserves a friend and every bonding journey starts with that first date.
Ready to find your rabbit's perfect match? Email us at rabbit-center@houserabbit.org to schedule a meet-and-greet!
